MITRE used to have a great reputation as an employer, and for a while management was concerned that the company had dropped off those lists; now managers talk about why those lists “don’t matter.” Recent (2012) cutbacks in benefits (less personal time earned per pay period, lower personal time balance carryover allowed from year to year, full vesting in 401K but 1 year working for the company before they match your contribution, 8 holidays a year). Individual managers seem to be given a good deal of autonomy and control – the effect is a lot of fiefdoms where, if you have a good manager, you’ll do well, but poor managers are given very little guidance or feedback. Very little training or guidance offered to managers and no institutionalized feedback loop from team members as to how well the managers are doing. The former head of HR recently left the company, with no explanation from upper management – what’s going on?? MITRE tells employees they pay a premium above average salaries in the area, but they don’t, and raises and promotions are meager and slow, at best. The company prides itself on offering “work-life balance” but balance and initiatives are offered very unevenly throughout the organization. Very confrontational and combative atmosphere. New ideas are not welcomed; people are not treated with respect.
